HISTORYOFMENARD &
MASON COUNTIES, ILLINOIS1879

THOMAS S. KNOLES, attorney and counselor at law; is a native of Menard Co., Ill., and was born about six miles east of Petersburg Sept. 8, 1850. His father, Asa Knoles, was born in the State of Indiana Nov. 19, 1818, and was married to Dorcas Stone in 1837, in Indiana. She was born in Kentucky in 1823; they emigrated to Menard Co, Ill., in 1848, where Asa Knoles became a leading citizen, stock-dealer and farmer. Although not a graduate, he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and kept pace with the events of the day. Dorcas Knoles, as wife, mother, neighbor and Christian, was a model, and truly consistent; she was beloved and esteemed by all who knew her, and died Aug. 27, 1857. She was the mother of eleven children, seven boys, all living, and four girls, of whom but one is living. Asa Knoles died Nov. 12, 1863. Their remains repose in Bee Grove burying-ground, in the northeast part of Menard Co. Of the seven boys, five were soldiers in the late war, among whom we mention the Hon. S. S. Knoles. The subject of this sketch was thrown on his own resources at the age of 13; was married to Miss Laura E. Hart in 1872; admitted to the bar in 1873; he is the author of a political speech on "The Functions of Money," and of "Moses was not mistaken," both productions of considerable merit; he was a candidate for Clerk of the Superior Court in 1878, receiving upward of 17,000 votes. Four children have been born to T. S. and L. E. Knoles - Isabelle Grace, the oldest, deceased; Tully C.; Nellie Hart, deceased; C. Rollin, now three months old.